Hypodermic syringe



Nov. 9, 1948. N. J. Poux HYPODERMIG SYRINGE `2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1946 INVENTOR Mel J.' Poux.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 9, 1948. N. J. Poux YPODERMIC SYRINGE 'wd Nov. 4, 194e INVENTOR Noel l Poux.

Patented Nov. 9, 1948 Noel J. Poux, Meadville, Pa.

Application November 4, 1946, Serial No. 707,645

The subject matter disclosed herein is related to the subject matter of my copending applications Serial Number 707,644, filed November 4,

. s claims. (on. 12s-22o) 1946, and Serial Number 707,646, filed November This invention relates to hypodermic'syringes,l

and particularly to an' improved' hypodermic syringe which employs a capsule or ampule containing the medicament to be injected.

Various types of syringes have been heretofore suggested and used which are adapted to `be loaded orcharged with a capsule or ampule containing the liquid medicament to be injected into the patient. Such an ampule consists generally of an elongated tube having a plug or stopper arranged in each end for sealing hermetically the medicament against contaimination. One of these plugs or Stoppers is adapted to be perforated by a hollow needle mounted in the syringe through which the liquid is `in .ected'into the bodyof the patient. 'I'he other plug or stopper acts as a piston `which is moved'through the ampule by plunger means carried by the syringe so as to force theliquid through the needle into the patient. While such syringes employing ampules ofV this type are satisfactory in their use, they are cumbersome in their use and construction `and oftentimes diiiicult and expensive in theirmanufacture. l f l It is the general object ofthe present invention to provide an improved syringe of this type which is notonly simple and easy to use in administering the liquid medicament, but one which is soinexpensive in its manufacture that it can bewdisearded after one use. p

`I1; is an important. object of the invention `to provide an improved combination of a hypotiermic` syringe and' ampule'` therefor having means incorporatedv therewithior easily v and quickly determining whether or notthe injection needle is positioned properly in the body of the patient for an injection intravenously or into the tissues of the patient. i

It is another object vof this invention to provide an improved hypodermic syringe which can be easily and conveniently molded from a plastic material at a minimum cost, and at the same time, one which is Suiiiciently strongand rugged for its intended use. y

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improvedmhypodermic syringe having a member incorporated therewith `which acts Vboth as a cap member for protectingthe linjec'ztion needle when thelsyringe is not in use and as a plunger `and guiding member when in A transparent plastic material, such as glass, sty-V the ampule body, as shown in Fig. 3;

It is still another object of vthe present invenjtion to provide an improved hypodermic needle and ampule therefor which is so constructed and arranged that it is impossible to reuse either the syringe or ampule after an injection has been made. thereby eliminating any danger of contamination byreuse.

Variousother objects and advantages `of this `invention will bemore apparent in the course of the following specification, and willbe particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose of illustration, an embodiment whlchmy invention may assume in practice.

Inl these drawings:

Fig. 1; is an elevational .view of the improved hypodermic syringe of` my invention; v Fig. 2 is anA elevational view,'partly in section, of the ampule for use with my syringe;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view, partly in section, of thze Vbody portion of the ampule, asshown in Fig. l

Fig. 41s. a detail view of one ofthe vStoppers for Fig. 5 is!v a detail viewpartly in section `of the other stopper therefor; f j

Fig. 6` is a longitudinal sectional View thereof, showing how the 'ampule is inserted intially therein;

Fig. `'I is a longitudinal sectional view `lof'my syringe, showing the ampule fully seated therein and ready for use;

Fig. 8 is a View` similar `.to position of the plunger `after an injection has beenmadenind`v` l. y. .1. l

Fig. 9 `is atop view of my improved syringe. Referring more particularly to `the drawings,

an elongated cylindrical thin-'walled body member 2 having a centralcylindrical hollow portion or chamberflfor housing an ampule orcapsule 4 which will be described hereinafter more in detail. This Abody member is made preferably from a rene, or `any other suitable moldable, material. O ne end of the hollowportion or chamber `3 is open, as Jat 5, and the opposite end is` closed`,` as

at 6. Adjacent the openend, there is `carried .by-

the body member,` a. pair o f diametrically `arranged curved linger grasping portions 1 for hold` ing (the syringe for an injectionl` On the `outer s ide of the closed end 6, there .is provided `a re.V duced frusto-conical shapedportion 0 soasto provide an outwardly' tapered reduced 'end for` a purpose `to be described. Y There is `positioned in Fig. 3. showingy the `mei'nber 2v is made.

needle relative to the body member when the syringe is in use. It will be understood that needle 9 is molded into the body member at the time of the-molding thereof.

There is provided an elongated cylindrical combination cap and plunger member I4 having an enlarged headportion I which is depressed,

as at 35, for receiving the thumb of the user to actuate the plunger in a manner to be described.

- This member I4 has an inner cylindrical portion 23 having an axially arranged cylindrical hollow portion 3I open at one end for housing the outwardly extending end portion I2 of the needle 3. as shown in Fig. 1` of the drawings. There is also carried by the member I4, an outer cylindrical portion 2s arranged concentric with the portion 23 and spaced therefrom so as to-provide an annular space 29 therebetween. The outer cylindrical portion 28 is longer than the inner portion 23 for a purpose hereinafter to be asoertained. The inner diameter of the outer` cylindrical portion 2l is slightly less thanthelargest diameter of the frusto-conical shaped portion 8 of the body member 2. When the member I4 is used as a cap member it is disposed over and around the outer end portion I2 of the needle with the inner end thereof being positioned and forced over the frusta-conical shaped portion 8 into frictional engagement therewith thereby protecting the outer end por-- 4 skirt portion fits over and around the outerend and side wall of the ampule with the end thereof being positioned in the annular groove 22 of the stopper. Such a construction is provided to prevent displacement of the stopper I'I from the end of the ampule when it is positioned -in the syringe. On the outer side of the skirt portion 2i, there is provided a plurality of circumferen- .tial V-shaped grooves or ridges 24 for `facilitating Iinset/tion and movement of the ampule in the syringe and to obtain a better sealing `eilect.

The outer end of the stopper I1 is rounded. as at 2l, so as to aid in inserting and guiding the ampule into the chamber 3.

It will b'e understood that the syringe is sterilized before it is packaged. In other words, the injection needle l and the hollow portion or chamber 3 are sterilized together with the member I4 before packaging.. After sterilization. the cap member I4 is positioned over the outer end portion I2 of the needle l so as to protect this' portion thereof. A cork or stopper 21 is preferably inserted m the open end s to maintain the 1 on the intended use for the sterility of the hollow portion 3 and the inne end portion l0 of the needle. Thus, it will be seen. as shown in Fig. 1, that after sterilization it is a sealed sterile medicine package ready for use.

The sterile solution of anesthetic or other.

medicant is disposed in the ampule 4 and conned between the stoppers Il and 'i1 as a separate component. The syringe and ampule may be packaged together or separately depending syringe and 'the medicament to beiniected.

The syringe of my invention is used in the following manner. The ampule 4 is inserted into the open end 5 of the hollow portion or chamber 3 of the body member 2 with the stopov per I1 being on the end iirst inserted. The cap tion of the needle against contamination. It

is preferable that'the member I4 be made from the same moldable. material of which the body pervious to liquids and capable of being sterilized.

There is provided a pair of cylindrical plugs or stoppers I6 and I1 with one disposed ineach end of the ampule for hermetically sealing the liquid adapted to, be contained therein These stoppers are made preferably of soft rubber orany other suitable material which is' easily perforated. One of these stoppers I8, as shown in Figs.`3and 4, is disposed wholly within the ampule at one end thereof and has a plurality 'of circumferential grooves I8 arranged therearound to enhance its sealing eect and, at the same time, to permit free sliding of the plug within the ampule. This stopper is adapted to be forced through the ampule and acts as a piston to eject the liquid therefrom in a manner to be described. The

other stopper I1, as shown in Fig. 5, consists of v a relatively thick central portion I9 which is axially recessed or cupped, as at 23, so as to facilitate piercing thereof and to enable Aall of the contents of the ampule to be discharged therefrom, which central portion fits snugly into the bore of the ampule at the end thereof opposite that from the 'stopper' IB. There is provided a skirt portion 2| which is spaced from the cenmember I4 is then removed from the closed end of the body member so as to expose the injection end I2 of the needle. `The combination cap and plunger member I4 is then positioned over the upper end of the ampule with the end of the cylindrical portion 23 bearing against the stopper I8 therein, and with the outer cylindrical portion 23 disposed around the upper end of the ampule. It will be understood that the outer diameter of the portion 23 is slightly less than the inner diameter of the ampule, and that the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 2l is slightly greater than the outer diameter of 'the ampule, and that the outer diameter of the portion 23 is slightly less than the inner diameter of the hollow portion 3. The needle is then injected into the body of the patient. In order to ascertain whether or not the end of the needle is positioned properly in the patient to administer the injection. the ampule 4 is retracted or reoiprocated by grasping the `outer sidesl of the portion 24, and the stopper I1 due toits construction and arrangement acts as a piston to draw nuid from the body of the patient into the closed chamber 28 at the bottom of the hollow portion 3 formed by the stopper I1 and the closed end wall of the hollow portion 3, as shown in Fig. 6. If the point of the needle is positioned in a vein for an intravenous injection, blood will appear in the closed chamber 26, and if the needle point is positioned in the tissue of the patient, no blood will appear. By providing such a separate closed chamber 23, the blood is prevented from mixing with the medicant in trai portion I! by an annular groove 22. .This 76 the ampule and is forced from this chamber up `as the latter is forced therein. The V-shaped ridges bear yieldably against the inner wall of the chamber 3 and act as a suction means to draw blood 'from the patient into the chamber 26 when the ampule is manipulated in the manner as hereinbefore described.

After the needle has been properly positioned, as above determined, the ampule 4 is fully seated, as shown in Fig. 7, and upon moving to its seat the stopper I1 is perforated by the inner end I0 of the needle with .the extreme end iin-ally being positioned in .therecess or well 2l) of the stopper when it is fully seated. In such position, it will be seen that the ampule is positioned wholly within the hollow portion or chamber 3 with the upper end thereof being positioned a slight distance below the open end 5 of the hollow portion. In other words, the length of the ampule dis slightly less than the depth or length of the hollow portion or chamber 3 in the body member. Such an arrangement prevents the removal of the ampule from .the syringe and-is important in that it prevents reuse of either of them.

The syringe is then grasped by theflnger portions 1 with the thumb of the user resting in the depression or well 35 in the outer end of the member I4. The plunger member I4 is forced inwardly by the thumb which in turn moves the piston stopper IB inwardly through the ampule thereby ejecting the liquid medicament through the hollow needle 9 into the patient. It will be understood that it is the purpose of the cylindrical portion 28 to ilil the space between the ampule and the inner wall of the hollow portion 3 so as to prevent the ampule from being tilted or cocked when the plunger portion 23 is forced therethrough and acts to guide the plunger into the ampule with the thin wall of the ampule passing into the space 29 as the piston stopper I6 is moved through the ampule to eject the liquid. After all oi the liquid has been injected, the stopper I6 is seated against the stopper I1 in the bottom of the ampule,A as shown in Fig. 8. -The needle is then withdrawn from the patient and the syringe together with the ampule contained therein discarded.

As av result Aof my invention, it will be seen that there is provided a neat and compact syringe which is not only sterile and ready for useyfbut one which can be easily and conveniently paci:-

aged for merchandising purposes. It is so con- Y structed and arranged that it is foolproof and can be used safely by the most inexperienced person. The syringe of the present invention is so simple and inexpensive in its construction that it can be discarded after it has been used but once.

While I have shown and described an embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merely for the purpose of illustration and description, and that other forms may be devised within the scope of my invention as dened in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A hypodermic syringe comprising, in combination, an elongated hollow body member being open at one end and closed at'its opposite end, a double pointed injection needle securely arranged insaid closed end with one lpoint extending into the hollow portion of said body member and with m eachv end oi said ampule for hermeticallysealing the same, kone of said stoppershaving substantially the same diameter as the inner diameter of said ampule and adaptedto act as a piston to force the liquid therefrom with the otherstopper being shaped to t over and around the end of the ampule, said last mentioned stopper adapted to be perforated by that needle point disposed in the hollow portion of said body member when the ampule is` i'ully seated therein, and means for pushing the ilrst mentioned stopper inwardly through the ampule to torce the liquid through said needle consisting of an elongated hollow portion which is adapted to it around the ampule for housing and holding the same and a plunger portion arranged within said hollow portion integral and concentric therewith which abuts against the first mentioned stopper and forces the same through the plunger when said means is forced into the ampule and syringe.

2. A hypodermic syringe. as dened in claim 1, wherein the inner plunger portion is hollow and has an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the ampule'.

3. A hypodermic syringe, as defined in claim l,

. wherein the hollow portion is cylindrical in shape and has an inner diameter-slightly greater than the outer diameter ofthe ampule and an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the hollow portion of the body member with the inner plunger portion having' an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the ampule.

4. A hypodermic syringe, as defined in claim 1. wherein the means for pushing the first mentioned stopper through the'ampule consists of an elongated cylindrical hollow member which in one position is adapted to act as a cap disposed over and around the outer end of the injection needle engaging the closed end of the body inember so as to protect said needle when not in use, said member having an inner cylindrical hollow portion with the end thereof adapted to` bear against the rst mentioned stopper when said member acts as a plunger, and an outer cylindrical portion arranged around said inner cylindrical portion and spaced therefrom so as to provide cylindrical portions cooperate with the body of the ampule to guide and pilot said member into the ampule and the syringe.

5. A hypodermic syringe, as deiined in claim 1, wherein the means for pushing the ilrst mentioned stopper through the ampule consists of an elongated cylindrical hollow member which in one position is adapted to act as a cap disposed over and around the outer end of the injection needle engaging the closed end of the body member so as to protect said needle when not in use, said member having an inner cylindrical hollow portion with the end thereof adapted to bear gaat l einst 'the am mentioned stopper when ma member acts asl a plunser, and an outer cylindrical portion arranged around said inner cylindrical vportion and spaced therefrom so as to provide an annular spacey between said inner und outer cylindrical por-tions with the ampule disposed in -the space between said inner and outer cylindrical portions when said member is forced into the ampule and the syringe whereby .said inner and outer cylindrical portions cooperate with the body of the ampule to guide said member into the ampule and the syringe, said outer cylindrical portion being longer than said inner cylindrical portion so that said outer cylindrical portion extends over and around the sides oi' the ampule when said member is initially positioned 0n the end of the ampule to house and holdthe upper end of the ampule. v

NOEL J. POUX.

. l summons man l` The followingv references are oi record in the me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Number Name 743,743 Mcmlllctull'l Nov. 10r 1903 1,704,678 Brown Mar. 5, 1929 ,o 1.718.592 smith June 25. 1929 1,734,154 Brown Nov. 5, 1929 1,929,247 Hein Oct. 3, 1933 2,408,323 Lockhart Sept. 24, 1946- c FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country l Date 776.968 France Nov. 17. 1934 

